DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

190
Point Felée—Mainland.
Overseer Wm. Prosser's division extends from the mouth of Detroit River to the
county line of Kent. Forty-two pound-nets were fishing in these waters. There is
a shortage in almost every kind of fish except pickerel and coarse fish, but it is the
more noticeable in whitefish and herring, the latter being 772,500 lbs. less than the
catch of last year, which was an unprecedented one. The total catch nearly reachor
3,000,000 lbs, valued at $l'&9,428, showing a decrease of $41,766 from last season,
Overseer J. McMichael, whose division comprises that part of the coast of Lake
Erie fronting on the County of Kent, reports an increased yield in the fisheries of
his division, which he ascribes to greater number of fishermen, arid to their use of
improved outfit, although individual catches didnot, in several instances, come up to
average. Fishermen were rather late in beginning operations. A splendid run of
whitefish visited this coast in the beginning of the season. They were the largest
ever seen, some tipping the scales at fifteen pounds. The fall run struck more on the
south shore of the lake than on ours. The returns of this division show a surplus
over last year's catch of whitefish of 18,246 pounds. The fifty-two pound-nets which
are fished in this district were frequently visited during the close season, and it was
ascertained that they contained no whitefish. Ttie total value of the fish produce is
given at $107,390.
Overseer J. McMichael is also charged with the next division of Elgin, left vacant
by the removal of Alexander Mc Bride. Whitefish is on the increase; the returns
showing a catch of 68,000 pounds over that of the previous year. Fishermen in this
division are well equipped with tugs, good boats, and are better prepared to prosecute
their callin.r in all kinds ot weather, when irferior crafts are compelled to
seek shelter. The.total value of this division is given at $81,b75.
Overseer V. Sharp has charge of that part of Lake Erie fronting on the County
of NorfolI. His returns show an increase of 50 per cent. in whitefish, and nearly
100,000 potnds in herring. The total value of the fisheries of this division is given
at $48,:*'8, exceeding last year's by about $10,000.
Overseers W. A. McCrea and W. P. Uroome, who attend to the Grand River, report
a fair catch. The former says, he experienced much trouble during the close season.
The fishways are working satisfactorily, especially the one at Dun nville since the
improvements made to it by the Superintendent of the Canal. Trolling has improved,
both below and above the dam. Mr. Oroome states that pickerel were more plentiful
this year than last. The close season was well observed in his portion of the river.
The great drought which prevailed during the first part of the summer caused the
water to tall so suddenly, that large quantities of spawn were left dry on the gravel
beds and perished. Several private parties are engaged propagating speckled-trout,
and it is hoped than those waters will soon be stocked with this game fish.
LAKE ONTARIO DIVISION.
Mr. Fred Kerr, who has been acting fishery overseer in place of his late lather,
J. W. Kerr, has charge of the division extending from Moulton Bay, on Lake Erie, to
Port Credit on Lake, Ontario, including Niagara River. He reports that the catch
of all kinds of fish seems to have declined on Lake Erie. This he attributes to the
large number of pound nets in the upper portion of the lake, which has the effect of
scaring the fish into deeper waters.
In the Niagara River fishing was more satisfactory. Ciscoe herring were plentiful
and of fair size. Sturgeon were abundant and commanded g' od prices, one fisherman
alone taking 5,000 pounds. The scarcity of whitefish arid s ilmon trout is now
o well established in Lake Ontario that fishermen seldom fish for them. Various
reasons are assumed to explain this disappearance of this most palatable of freshwater
fish of our lakes. Some fishermen contend that ciscoes have become so numerous
as to drive whitefish away from their usual feeding and spawning grounds.
There is no doubt but ciscoes have become the staple fish of this division. Not only